Steelers’ Thursday night QB rotation

• Mason Rudolph: 1-2 series
• Drew Allar: Rest of 1st half
• Will Howard: Entire 2nd half



Haven't looked forward to a preseason game this much in a while.

 

Several camp reports have noted Allar looking sharper / more impressive than Will Howard in recent practices, so McCarthy giving the longer look (and the bigger evaluation opportunity) to the third-round rookie makes sense if he’s currently ahead of Howard on the depth chart in the coaches’ eyes. I know what the latest depth chart says.

 

That picture worries me

 

Who knows what the rotation will be but I can't wait to watch the two youngsters play.

 

I don't think the official QB rotation has been released yet.

 

Just found out it is televised here. Bingo!

 

But if this report is true then Allar isn't getting the longer playing time tomorrow night. Mason is starting and playing a series or two which could mean most of the first quarter. Allar will get maybe a little bit of the first quarter and play the second quarter. Howard is playing the entire second half.

 

What about Mr Rodgers

 

I was surprised when I saw that he might take around 30 snaps this pre-season but I also thought that I'll believe it when I see it.

 

McCarthy said so

Rodgers said it’s a waste of his time (maybe it’s not all about him)

Let’s see who wins this battle

 

Howard is ahead of Allar on the depth chart

He will be ahead in the rotation Thursday

Now the next game they will probably swap

 

My opinion it would be dumb to cut either Howard , or obviously not Allar this season .
If 8 gets hurt this season better to see what these young guys have than to play Rudolph again.
Saying this before the preseason starts, if they keep Rudolph and cut Howard that would be soo Tomlin just to win 9 games.

 

In most training camps, the second-best quarterback in plays the first two quarters and the third-stringer comes in for the cleanup duty with the players who are on the roster bubble.
Looking at how quarters have been distributed so far, Allar is clearly ahead of Howard.

 

Keep in mind there are only 2 QBs on this roster under contract for next season. Rodgers has stated he is retiring and Mason's contract is up, although he could be easily re-signed, as not a big market for him.

 

There hasn’t been a quarter so far

The first quarter is Thursday night

Then we will see

But right now the fact is Allar is number 4 on the depth chart

Right now if it was a real game Howard would be the third or emergency quarterback and Allar would be in sweats on the sideline

 

If Rogers gets hurt and Mason does well in relief then there will be a decent market for him. He will be 31 and hardly any wear and tear on his body.

 

Keep four until a starting QB gets hurt and then trade Mason.

 

You may as well keep 4 until you are forced to cut down

That’s 18 days away and a lot can happen

 

I obviously left out the word "trade" but you knew that. I guess how long they hold on to him could depend on who they feel they could fill his roster spot with if they wait beyond that?

Mason could move up in value the minute the right QB goes down.

 

I'd be fine with him only taking a series in the last preseason game.

But if he takes this 30-60 snaps or whatever they are talking about, I'm fine with that too.

 

Cart before the Horse here. At least wait until you have seen Will Howard play in an NFL game before you try to trade away Mason.

I want to see what Will Howard can do against an NFL defense. Even if if is against a bunch of scrubs in the 2nd half.


I think a lot of fans are going to be shocked to see Mike McCarthy's offense on Thursday. Tomlin's offense was very conservative even in the preseason games the last few years. Mike McCarthy's last preseason game his QB threw 5 Ints in a preseason game. McCarthy will have his QBs throwing to the middle of the field and pushing the ball downfield.

 

Don't need to see anybody play to know that if Rogers goes down the season is done. Get something for Mason when his stock is high.

 

Allar is set to receive the majority of the first quarter, all of the second, and a portion of the #1s playing. He has shown more upside than Howard. I myself can't wait as I think he will be even better with the #1s.



What does this mean? Howard will need to shine and hope that he plays good enough to be the 2nd QB in the second pre-season game.

Allar still needs work on his short game (timing, touch, accuracy on shorter throws). Aaron Rodgers and coaches (Tom Arth and Mike McCarthy) will work with him on that. In my opinion throwing with more zip is seen as a fixable way to tighten accuracy, while soft/slower throws are currently a weakness.

-JB

 

I'm curious how you have come to these conclusions?